Al Horford (rest) and Kyrie Irving (flu) will get night off against Cavs

Kyrie Irving will not play on Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms, and after playing 14 straight games since returning from a right knee injury, Al Horford will also get the night off against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Celtics have strategically been giving the 32-year-old rest over the past couple of seasons and the timing couldn't be much better for the big man with the NBA's worst team coming to town in Cleveland. The Cavs also employ Tristan Thompson, who has routinely given Horford plenty of trouble on the boards over the years. Resting him will be an opportunity to match up Aron Baynes against Thompson and give Daniel Theis a few minutes after a DNP-CD the past couple of games. Terry Rozier should get the starting nod in place of Irving while some minutes open up for Brad Wanamaker off the bench.

The good news is Horford has played extremely well of late after finishing up with his minutes restriction, averaging 17.8 points per game during the team's four-game winning streak. He spoke about getting through his eight-game absence on Monday night to return to closer to his All-Star form. 

“I’m understanding what we’re playing for and the goals that we have as a group,” he said. “Looking at the big picture, that’s how I was able to get through it. Because in the moments I want to be out there in the games, but at the same time we want to make sure that there are no restrictions later in the season and things like that. So, I think we’re over that and now I can just continue to play.”

Horford will get four full days of rest heading into the team's showdown against the Warriors on Saturday night at the TD Garden.